disc pendant;
soul disc
- Museum number
- Af,Ash.20
- Title
- Series: Asante Gold
- Description
-
Lost wax casting in gold of a bi-facial disc pendant (akrafoknmu) with a central raised conical boss. The boss was cast separately and is decorated with seven evenly-spaced loops. It was soldered onto the flat disc using gold wire and is surrounded by a series of solid concentric banded circles that are decorated with continuous zig-zag patterns. The perimeter of the disc is indicated by a single solid circle of raised elliptical motifs that form a cable pattern. The solid rim of the disc is broad in comparison with others and is embellished with two very small semi-circular hemispheres. The reverse of the disc has the same concentric arrangement of circles but these are cast in open-work, a large area of which is missing. There are two lugs soldered on either side of the pendant for suspension.
- Production date
- 19thC early (before 1874)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 6.50 centimetres
-
Weight: 53.50 grammes
-
Width: 6.05 centimetres
-
Depth: 0.90 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- This casting is small for a disc pendant. The cable pattern probably derives from Islamic motifs found in Northern Africa.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Good. Large hole in back of disc, edges bent over. Four circular indentations on border, possibly filled in sprue holes? There are some signs of wear on the back and around the edge.
- Acquisition date
- 1876
- Acquisition notes
- See Christy Correspondence (File C)
Letter from W Sargeaunt, Crown Agents for the Colonies, 22 January 1877, confirming price of £371. 0. 4. for 100.275 ozs. of 'Ashantee Gold Ornaments.'
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- Af,Ash.20
- Additional IDs
-
CDMS number: Af1876C6.20 (old CDMS no.)
